Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-02-25

nevolence, he stands with lamp IN one
hand, and dagger in the other, contem-
plating the man whose death he has al
ready essayed to compass, and which
be has now come to assure: Like the
picture Of the scientific man in 'sViv-
Mr.. Beaufoy calmly and
regarded me. I kept
down as well as Icould the wild throb-
bling of my heart, repressed the impa-
tient promptings of revenge. He was
satisfied at length with an inspection
that seemed to mo Intern Unable.
''Not killed." he said softly. Tut,
tut, tut! Fancy our having dug Hardy's
grave so immediately under the trap
door! That was Plowitz's fault
Plowitz is always wrong when he al
lows himself to be in a hurry. Well,
my poor designing friend, cut throat
will keep you as quiet as broken
neck"
So saying, he put the lamp down
upon the ground. AS he did so, and
the shadows rapidly changed, I moved
quickly, to be ready for a spring. And
in moment, before he had time to re-
cover his upright position, had
seized him, thrown him heavily to the
floor. and was kneeling upon his arms,
while the knife, which had dropped
from his hand at my sudden assault.
was now quivering at his throat in
mine.
Had I been kneeling over his corpse
no change of complexion would have
been requisite. His face was ashy
white, his lips leaden, and, though I
knelt with no light weight upon
him, it was fright rather than pain
that caused him to gasp so painfully.
'Now, you murderous william" 1
said, II shall tie you here, and leave
you while bring the authorities to
enquire into the cause Of Hardy's
death.'
At this he became trifle NOR livid,
if possible, but made no attempt to
speak.
eff you make any resistance" l
went on, II will stick this dagger into
your throat; you understand?'
He evidently did understand, for,
though exercised great caution, he
gave no signs OF activity to justify it.
I bound him with severe compression,
with the cords he had brought himself
| into the cellar. [ gagged him effect
lively, and having made his fastenings
doubly secure, I set him in the midst of
Hardy's grave, and, taking with me his
dagger and the bunch of keys, l ex-
tinguished the light and left the vault,
locking it's owner in.
Two more doors I had to open-one
at the foot of a flight of stairs, the
other at the top, but the key was ap-
parently a master-key, and all doors
yielded to it. Unobserved emerged
into the passage, and hastily and safely
reached my own room.
Ere had time to collect myself, a
knock came at the door.
"Who is there?'
eff you please, sir, let me in for a
minute" said a woman's voice, which
sounded like Mrs. Hardy's.
'Who is it?''
"Mrs. Hardy, sir"
had no reason to doubt the woman
and I opened the door. She was alone
and seemed considerably agitated.
''Oh, sir, Miss Mary! They're going
to send her away"
''Away! Whereof
ITO the Continent, sir-to Germany
I said I'd help you, sir, but if you once
let her 60 you'll never see her again
"When is this to be?''
"This very night.''
"Who is going to take her?''
*'That Plowitz. She is to be taker
away from here in a carriage as an in
valid, and if you can't stop or follow
the carriage it will be all up, for I dom
know which way they are going; ant
you must mind what you do, for there's
a telephone from the house to the lodge
and Grimes he wouldn't stick at moth
4 ing, no more than my poor maj
would"
| I had no time to form any plan. MY
only idea was to follow the carriage by
any means unobserved by the enemy
until I could call for assistance in some
public place.
miss Mary sent you this, SIR said
Mrs. Hardy, holding out a small anc
crumpled piece of notepaper.
On it was family pencilled:
"zhey are going to carry me aa0ay to-
saight. For Gods sake, SAGE mel"
| pressed the note to my lips, ant
glanced with satisfaction at the long
shining blade of the captured dagger.
For stabbing Plowitz, or cutting the
traces, that knife would be equally use
full.
! A slight cry from Mrs
Hardy caused me to look up
and I met the gaze of Plowitz himself
He looked pale. mocking, malicious.
''Mrs. Hardy" he said, ''you are
scarcely discreet. Didn't you know
what dangerous young man this is
who pretends he cannot see, and ye
keeps his eyes SO wide open. Go!''
Mrs. Hardy, with a look of caution a
ME quickly disappeared.
81 will keep my eyes open now, Her,
Plowitz,' | answered hastily; "and
will not shut them till see Miss For.
tescue in II place of safety, where she
| will be in no dancer from bullias and